Travis Archer

This Texan is the "he" in hero. The oldest of four brothers, he has spent too many years protecting his land and his family the only way he knew how. No one comes in, no one goes out. He's used to running the show, leading by example, and solving any problem that penetrates their reclusive, secluded existence with his wits or his Winchester, whichever is most effective. When Meredith Hayes, the courageous young girl he once rescued, comes to warn them of a threat against their land, an accident leaves her reputation in shreds. Travis comes to her rescue once again. But what Travis doesn't know, and Meredith comes to understand, is Travis is the one in need of rescue, from the burden of his past and the fears of the future. How Travis comes to terms with the wound in his past and rises to be a better protector of his family by learning to trust more than his rifle is what earned him a Fiction Hero Feature slot.

From Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer:

     Travis slid his brown wool vest over the scratchy cotton shirt, wincing as the stiff material pressed against his back. He did up the buttons and grabbed his hat, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror as he turned for the door.
     Meredith wasn't getting much of a prize in their arrangement. Travis frowned at his razor-nicked face and saddle-bum clothes and thought about how pretty she'd looked stepping out of his room with her hair done up and her eyes glowing shyly at him. Seeing her only in a shapeless sleeping gown the last couple of days, he'd nearly forgotten what nice curves she had. The faded dress she wore with its snug bodice and trim waist brought all those memories rushing back.
     Meredith Hayes was a fine specimen of a woman. And sometime later today, she was going to be his.
     A rogue with a devilish grin stared back at him from the mirror. Travis winked at his reflection, settled his hat into place, and fought the urge to whistle as he headed outside to tend his chores.

Excerpt used with permission. All rights reserved.

Gallant Score: Travis earns himself a three. One for marrying to save a damaged reputation. The second because marriages are typically followed by honeymoons and the way Travis handles his and Meredith's is a great part of the story. It would be a spoiler to tell you why he deserves that third one, but for those who already know Travis Archer, it involves an ink pen.

Wounded Score: Travis carries the blame and the burden of a promise made at fifteen that's hurt him more than he knows. That pain has defined him so long he doesn't even know it's not supposed to be that way. :-/

Softie Score: The tough exterior isn't a facade. Travis Archer's determination to keep his promise to protect his brothers and their land at all costs have taken a toll on his softer side, and Meredith is in for some rough and tumble scrapes and misunderstandings because of it. Occasionally the bit that's in there comes out, especially when Meredith first meets him but that's all I can say without giving away one of the best parts. =)

Stupid Strikes: Again, I find this runs in correlation to the wounded score, and Travis earns this one for a pretty hurtful statement he makes in an argument and of course, for drawing straws to see whose going to marry Meredith! An incident with their locked gate almost earned him another one, but he takes that so hard himself I teared up a little feeling his regret in the moments that followed that I couldn't give him the second one.

Swoon Score: Travis Archer starts with an automatic orange head because he's a Karen Witemeyer hero and Karen Witemeyer knows how to write a great hero. He gets a second orange head because he's a Texan, I'm partial to the name Travis, and he looks absolutely fantastic on his cover. I can't decide if I like the vest or those pants more... so I won't! That third orange head is well-earned at a rock down by the creek you'll want to take your time reading through and for the way that for all his gruffness and swagger (see excerpt above, hehe), his moments of vulnerability and tender care for Meredith and family will endear him to you way more than his name and his clothes.

About Travis Archer's novel (Released June 1, 2012):

Four brothers. Four Straws. One Bride.

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.

Years of constant vigilance harden a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

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About Travis Archer's author:

Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Now for the Fiction Hero Feature Exclusive from the author not found in the novel:

Travis named his horse Bexar in keeping with the Alamo tradition his mother started. We all know that he and his brothers were named for heroes from the Alamo, but you might not know that Bexar is the name of the Alamo's location. San Antonio de Bexar was the name of the settlement that was home to the Alamo at the time of the revolution. Today we know the city as San Antonio, but the county it resides in is still called Bexar.

NOTE: Nancy Kimball is a descendant of Gregorio Esparza, a defender of the Alamo. She is very proud of this part of her heritage. =)

Now for the giveaways:

We are giving away one print copy of Travis Archer's novel Short Straw Bride to a randomly chosen commenter. If your comment contains an Alamo or Battle of the Alamo fact previously unmentioned in this post, you will get two entries in the drawing for Short Straw Bride that closes at midnight central time on July 30th.

And because anyone who calls themselves a Karen Witemeyer fan already owns this book and likely her others as well, you can tell us Travis already has a home on your shelf or e-reader and be entered for a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card, winner's choice. BUT, so that I believe you, LOL, you have to tell me the name of a character that isn't Travis or Meredith, and once that character is named in the comments, you have to pick someone else.

<This isn't complicated, but it will take a touch more synapses firing than usual so make me proud!>

As always, if you aren't a blog follower, leave me your e-mail address in an anti-spammer format like travisarcher (at) awesomehero dotcom so that I can notify you if your name is drawn.